Minimal moods coalesce like fog drifting through subterranean tunnels. Soft basslines seep with ethereal atmospherics, producing a soothing anticipation. Tenderly trickling waters float into view. The thoughtful mists gradually become inhabited by lightly echoing strummed guitar which persists in a remote presence as if the instrument lurks just ahead around a bend in the passage. This just-out-of-reach impression permeates the entire release.

Despite the sparse nature of this tuneage, the music tingles with a romantic intimacy. Unhurried compositions combine delicate haunted guitar sounds with tenuous ambience to generate the sonic disposition of darkened rooms full of loving caresses.

This time the band produces a grittier soundscape of reverberating guitar textures tempered with screeching tonalities designed to blend effortlessly with the harsh outcries of the treated guitar. While strings are diligently strummed and lovingly distorted, pulsating ambience appears to ponderously establish a milieu of shadows. This mixture is chilling, evoking desolate landscapes wherein nature overruns decay with patient obstinance. Densely resonant bass enters the flow, attributing a curious humanity to the seesawing harmonies.

While this release exhibits more bite than the band's prior release, a mood of gently floating predominates. The tunes are crafted to agitate as well as lull. A romantic edge lurks underneath the wobbling riffs, providing needy goths with contemplative soundtracks of delicate demeanor.

The CD ends with a crisp but gloomy piece confined to acoustic guitar.

Here, the guitar textures and moody temperament receive a surprise jolt with the introduction to the mix of sampled voice snippets from movies and television. Also new are the jarring electronics that tend to explode on the scene without warning, shattering the calm with their abrasive wail.

Even the guitar seems to have abandoned the band's soothing sound, seeking harsher realms with higher pitches and intrusive clarity. Now the seesawing is an aggressive expression of angst, the textures are no longer ambient but strain to penetrate the most resolute psychic obstacles.

While the electronics have adopted attack mode, filling the air with unruly sounds and spiteful buzzings. One track even features in-your-face drumming.

Somehow, despite all this overtness, an ambient mood is maintained, only now it appeals to a warrior caste. It's almost like the Durutti Column meets Merzbow.